easiest entry · 2026
the short answer
Yes — Cambodia is one of the few countries where a degree has never been a strict national requirement to teach English. Private language centres in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap regularly hire non-degree teachers who hold an accredited TEFL certificate. Pay is lower than Thailand or Vietnam, but so is the cost of living. Get a 120-hour+ TEFL, then confirm current work-permit and visa details with the school or Cambodian embassy before you fly.
| Degree | Not required by law |
|---|---|
| TEFL hours | 120+ accredited recommended |
| Visa | Business visa (EB) then work permit, confirm with employer |
| Typical pay | $700-$1,200/month, language-school pay |
| Best city | Phnom Penh or Siem Reap |
| Hardest part | Lower pay vs cost creep in Phnom Penh |
| Who this suits | Budget-conscious first-timers |
step one, always
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typical, not guaranteed
120-hour accredited online course is generally accepted; do it before you land to widen your options immediately.
Many teachers land on a tourist visa and convert or apply for a business visa (EB) once they arrange a job, so avoid rigid return dates.
Most Phnom Penh and Siem Reap centres prefer to meet you and watch a short demo lesson before hiring.
Ask the school exactly how they handle your visa type and any work permit paperwork — this varies by employer.
Terms are usually short and flexible, so you can build hours quickly across multiple centres if needed.
Unlike Thailand or South Korea, Cambodia's education sector has no long-standing national rule tying teaching work to a bachelor's degree. Private English centres set their own hiring bars, and many prioritise a TEFL certificate and a confident interview over paperwork you don't have.
This openness is exactly why it's a common first stop for career-break travellers and gap-year teachers who don't have — or don't want to use — a degree.
Phnom Penh has the most language centres and the widest range of pay, from smaller neighbourhood schools to larger established chains. Siem Reap is smaller and more tourist-driven, with fewer openings but a lower cost of living and a slower pace many teachers prefer for a first contract.
Most foreign teachers in Cambodia work on some form of business visa (often called the EB visa), which is generally easier to obtain than a formal degree-based work visa elsewhere. Some schools help arrange this or a related work permit; others leave it to you.
Rules and processing details shift, so always ask the specific school what they actually provide and check the Cambodian immigration department's current guidance rather than relying on old blog posts.
Language-school pay in Cambodia runs roughly $700-$1,200 a month depending on hours and the centre's reputation — this is not international-school pay, which is rarer and usually degree-required. Rent in Phnom Penh for a simple room or studio is low enough that this income can still leave room to save.
what people actually ask
For most private language centres, yes — a 120-hour accredited TEFL certificate is usually the main credential schools ask for. Some centres prefer more hours or prior experience for better-paid roles, so a stronger certificate widens your options.
Most use a business visa (often called EB), which doesn't require a degree, sometimes paired with a work permit arranged by the school. Rules and processes can change, so confirm the current setup with your employer or the Cambodian embassy before travelling.
Typically $700 to $1,200 a month at private language centres, depending on hours and location. This is standard language-school pay, not international-school pay, and it usually covers a modest but comfortable lifestyle in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Many teachers find it easier to fly in and interview in person, since centres like to meet candidates and see a short demo lesson. Some remote hiring exists, but in-person applications are still the more common route.
Native or fluent English speakers are generally preferred, and most schools don't enforce strict age limits for private centres. Government-linked programmes may have their own rules, so check specifics with any programme you're applying to.